Weight loss surgery

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM TREATMENT FOR WEIGHT LOSS

For many people, diet, exercise and medications are simply not enough to achieve the kind of weight loss they need. If your weight is endangering your health and preventing you from doing the things you love, weight loss surgery could be your path to a healthier and more active life.

At Allina Health, our surgical weight management experts will work closely with you throughout the entire process to understand your goals and find the right solution for you. With virtual visits, as well as service locations across the Twin Cities metro, you get convenience and access to specialized and personalized care.

Take the first step

Let's find the right weight loss surgery for you. Call to speak with a weight loss surgery specialist, or request an appointment online.

Learn more

Types of weight loss (bariatric) surgery

Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, works by limiting the amount of food you can eat at one time. It permanently alters the digestive tract, so weight loss doesn't depend on restrictive diets or unrealistic exercise programs. In most cases, you will have laparoscopic surgery. Allina Health surgeons use laparoscopic surgery because you will have smaller incisions, smaller scars, less pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and fewer complications.

There are several types of bariatric surgery:

Sleeve gastrectomy
The sleeve gastrectomy surgery makes your stomach smaller, limiting how much your stomach can hold. During the surgery your stomach will be stapled and then divided, leaving about 20% of your stomach.

Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)
The gastric bypass surgery makes your stomach smaller, limiting the amount of food and liquid you can hold at one time and limiting your ability to absorb calories.

Duodenal switch
The duodenal switch surgery changes the size of your stomach and your ability to absorb calories. It is a combination of the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgeries

Revision/Conversion
Your doctor may recommend an additional surgery if you experience complications or are not seeing desired results. A revision surgery will retain and modify your original procedure, while a conversion replaces a procedure with another one.

Your Allina Health care team will help you select the right option for you and guide you through every step of your bariatric surgery journey. Learn more in our Introduction to Weight Loss Surgery online seminar, where a weight management specialist discusses these different surgeries in detail.

Choosing surgery for weight loss

Surgery to lose weight is a complex and personal decision. As you consider your options, here are some things you should consider:

Weight and health conditions: One of the requirements for weight loss surgery is a body mass index (BMI) over 35 or over 30 with at least one serious health condition. The presence of obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apneas and high blood pressure increase the likelihood that surgery is medically necessary.
Commitment to lifestyle changes: Weight loss surgery is a tool that requires significant and permanent lifestyle changes, including diet, regular exercise and behavioral changes.
Have realistic expectations: Weight loss surgery is not a guarantee of rapid or effortless weight loss. It takes daily commitment to lifestyle changes and long-term follow up appointments for monitoring.
Mental and emotional readiness: You should be strongly motivated to make significant lifestyle changes, be emotional stable and have a strong support system for emotional and practical support throughout the journey.

Your weight loss surgeon will help determine if surgery is the right choice for you and your health. Even if weight loss surgery isn’t the right approach for you, there are still many effective ways to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The Allina Health Weight Management team is committed to helping your find the medical weight loss program that works best for your unique life.

Read more about weight loss surgery in this article to learn Is bariatric surgery right for you?

jean-clad legs walking down gravel path near sunset

Benefits of weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery can offer significant physical and mental health benefits for individuals.

Weight loss: On average, people who undergo wight loss surgery can expect to lose around 60-70% of their excess body weight. Factors like starting weight, commitment to diet and exercise, and overall health can impact individual weight loss results.
Improved overall health: Weight loss can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. In addition, it can help lower high blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
Increased energy levels: Weight loss significantly reduces strain on the heart and lungs, allowing your body to function more efficiently. Obesity is often linked to sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. Weith loss can alleviate these issues, leading to better sleep and increased energy during the day.
Boosted self-esteem: Weight loss can significantly improve body image and self-confidence.
Improved quality of life: Improvements to your overall health, energy and self-esteem from weight loss can lead to increased social interaction, improved relationships and greater overall life satisfaction.

Watch the weight loss success stories of Allina Health patients who have undergone weight loss surgery, including Sara who lost 126 pounds in 16 months after her surgery.

Nationally recognized weight loss surgery program

MBSAQIP Accredited
The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers. The program accredits bariatric surgery centers that have undergone peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. MBSAQIP accredited surgical centers include Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mercy Hospital and United Hospital.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center
Blue Distinction Centers+ are healthcare facilities and providers recognized for their expertise and efficiency in delivering specialty care. Abbott Northwestern Hospital and United Hospital are recognized for their bariatric surgery programs as a Blue Cross Blue Shield BDC+ programs.

Optum/UnitedHealthcare Bariatric Centers of Excellence
Those who belong to the Optum Bariatric COE program perform more successful bariatric procedures than other facilities and have fewer complications and readmissions. Locations recognized with this distinction include Allina Health Weight Management – Mercy and Allina Health Weight Management – United.